A lucky break

29 January 2009

WSF 2009

While Dave, Ruth and Nadia had a productive and informative day running workshops, networking and sharing information, Graciela got an unexpected phone call which would change her day.

Within the programme that the Brazilian Via Campesina prepared as a parallel to the WSF, there was a fringe session with the presidents from Paraguay, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. Included in the audience were members of the Via Campesina network, as well as the press and notable international guests. Interestingly, Lula, Brazil's president was not invited to this meeting. Representatives of social movements also spoke, such as the Chair of Via Campesina, the Argentine Workers' Center, the Women World Network; there was even a representative from a social movement in Haiti.

The meeting was restricted, and under normal circumstances we would not be able to attend. However, early in the morning Graciela got a call from Alex from the MST explaining that he was able to get her an access pass. MST also managed to provide access to other War on Want partners such as Abahlali baseMjondolo and the Palestinian Farmers Union.